The SF Giants selected 1B/RHP Bryce Eldridge with the 16th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia. Eldridge was considered the best two-way prospect in this year's class marking the second consecutive year the Giants had selected the best two-way prospect after drafting Reggie Crawford last year.
With a towering 6'7'' frame, Eldridge has a unique combination of strength and athleticism. On the mound he has showcased a sinker that has reached the mid-90s with a good feel for a slider and changeup alongside a fairly consistent ability to throw strikes.
At the plate, Eldridge has massive power potential and has flashed defensive viability at first base. If he were solely a pitcher or hitter, Eldridge would have still remained a top-two round prospect by most evaluators.
It's unclear whether the Giants will be able to create any slot savings with Eldridge, who is committed to Alabama. He generally ranked around 15-20 by most public-facing big boards. However, the Giants have prioritized early-round savings in the past. The slot for the pick is valued at $4.3266 million, although slots dip below $3.5 million by the 22nd overall pick. So, it's possible that Eldridge agreed to take a signing bonus in tye $3.5-$4 million range.
The SF Giants have two more selections on Day 1 of the MLB Draft, and will look to add even more talent after selecting Bryce Eldridge.
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